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Ethics in Action: India continues its journey towards ethical AI with the Final RAM Consultation in New Delhi
As India accelerates its journey toward becoming a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI), one question remains at the heart of the conversation: How can we ensure AI is not just powerful, but also ethical, inclusive, and safe?
With over 200 experts spanning government, industry, and academia, this was the central theme at the fifth and final AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) Stakeholder Consultation, held in Hotel Shangri-La, New Delhi on 3 June 2025. Organized by UNESCO and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), with Ikigai Law as the implementation partner, the event marked the culmination of a nationwide dialogue on shaping India’s ethical AI future.
Setting the Stage: Why Ethics Can’t Be an AfterthoughtÂ
The event opened with Mr. Tim Curtis, Director and Representative of UNESCO’s Regional Office for South Asia, emphasizing that AI ethics cannot be an afterthought. He highlighted India’s rapid AI advancements and the need to align them with transparency, fairness, and accountability—core principles of UNESCO’s global framework.
If we want AI systems to be inclusive, we must design them that way from the start, encompassing not just functionality, but essential values. And when we don’t, we begin to see the consequences—not as abstract risks, but as real-world limitations.
Following this, Mr. Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary of MeitY and CEO of IndiaAI Mission, outlined India’s commitment to ethical, real-world AI solutions. He stressed a pro-innovation approach that balances rapid development with safeguards against harm.
India's AI strategy balances innovation with responsibility—building in India, for India. Through the IndiaAI Mission, we're developing foundational tools like AI Kosh and indigenous models while prioritizing trust. Our vision is AI that empowers citizens safely and inclusively.
His words set the tone for a day of deep reflection and collaboration on how India can lead in ethical AI governance.
Panel Discussion: Balancing Innovation and Responsibility
One of the event’s highlights was a panel discussion t¾±³Ù±ô±ð»å "Safety and Ethics in India’s AI Ecosystem." Moderated by Ms. Rutuja Pol of Ikigai Law, the panel featured leading voices in AI policy and research.
The panel highlighted the dual imperatives of accelerating AI innovation while embedding ethical safeguards. Ms. Debjani Ghosh’s (Distinguished Fellow, NITI Aayog) noted that the pace of AI’s impact is unprecedented, demanding a balance between its transformative potential and risks like deepfakes and bias. Dr. B. Ravindran ( Head, DSAI, and CeRAI, IIT-Madras) warned of AI’s disruptive impact on India’s labor-intensive economy, stressing the urgency of upskilling, while Dr. Mayank Vatsa (Professor ,IIT-Jodhpur) underscored the technical and legal challenges of "unlearning" biases in AI systems. Ms. Eunsong Kim (Programme Specialist, UNESCO) highlighted India’s unique diversity as both an asset and a challenge, citing grassroots concerns about job displacement and the need for multilingual datasets.
Ms. Kavita Bhatia (COO, India AI Mission and Group Coordinator, Emerging Technologies Division, MeitY) outlined India’s proactive steps, including the IndiaAI ²Ñ¾±²õ²õ¾±´Ç²Ô’s focus on "Safe and Trusted AI" through public-private partnerships (PPPs) and upcoming AI Safety Summit 2026. She also emphasized on building collaborations with academia to address biases and build India-specific foundation models.
The discussion crystallized a shared vision: ethical AI is not a constraint but a catalyst for inclusive growth, requiring policy agility, industry accountability, and global cooperation.
The future of AI in India must be built on collaboration—between policymakers, industry, and academia—to ensure no one is left behind.
Breakout Sessions: From Theory to Action
Moving beyond theoretical discussions, the consultation prioritized hands-on collaboration through intensive breakout sessions. Attendees were divided into four focused working groups, each addressing critical pillars of India's AI ecosystem:
Governance: What institutional frameworks ensure ethical AI?
Workforce Readiness: How do we upskill India for an AI-driven economy?
Infrastructure: What technical and policy support is needed?
Use Cases: How can ethics be embedded in real-world AI applications?
Each group contributed actionable recommendations, which will feed into the final India RAM report.
Key Takeaways: India’s Roadmap for Ethical AI
As the consultation concluded, three clear takeaways emerged:
Ethics Must Be Built-In, Not Bolted On – AI development must prioritize safety, fairness, and inclusivity from the start.
Collaboration Over Reinvention – India should learn from global best practices while tailoring solutions to its unique needs.
Upskilling for the AI Era – Preparing India’s workforce for AI’s disruptions is non-negotiable.
What’s Next?
The insights from all five consultations will now be compiled into a comprehensive AI policy report, guiding India’s national AI strategy.
Stay tuned for the official India RAM report, coming soon! 
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